INTENSE ACTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 December 1939, Page 5

INTENSE ACTION

GRAF SPEE OUT-MANOEUVRES CLEVER USE OF SMOKE SCREENS NEW YORK, 14th December. The Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo disembarked thirtysix dead and sixty wounded, while a few miles away watchfully lay the British cruisers which defeated her in an eighteen-hour running battle, the biggest and most dramatic engagement of the war. A silent awed crowd jammed the waterfront to witness the casualties taken ashore. The vanquished Nazi ship has three gaping holes in the hull, superstructure and forecastle and other scars. The commander was

slightly injured, and one of the officers is dead. The Admiral Graf Spee’s damage Is such that she is unable to depart immediately. It was indicated that she would be given time for repairs before internment proceedings are instituted. It is reported that a captain and others from six captured British merchantment would be released here. BATTLE DESCRIBED The “New York Times” correspondent says the Ajax was convoying the French liner Formosa from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo when the Admiral Graf Spee opened fire. A wireless message brought the Exeter and the Achilles foaming into action. The Formosa hurried to safety. During the first intense action the Admiral Graf Spee tried vainly to outrun and out-manoeuvre the British ships, while the firing continued for four hours. The Exter’s guns inflicted the first heavy damage on the enemy while the lighter British ship maintained contact fearlessly and effectively. Thereupon, the Admiral Graf Spee, now leading the chase southward, devoted all her attention to the Exeter, whose steering gear was damaged, forcing her to quit the battle, but during the latter engagement the Admiral